The Dark Moon in Taurus honours our connection to the natural world. The Earth is the body of the Goddess, and we are all Her children.

As Sacred Beings, we honour our bodies as sacred and honour everyone and everything around us as sacred as well. The way we do this is through respect. Respect for one’s own body, as well as for others, plants and animals and the Earth Herself.

We can learn a lot about ourselves when we look to the natural world for guidance. This can be especially true when we work with Shadow animals.

A shadow animal is usually one that we have a strong revulsion about. We may fear it, or dislike it intensely. It is an animal that we might kill, or avoid, it may evoke a traumatic emotional response.

Shadow animals usually represents a lesson we don’t want to learn. It forces us to confront harsh and uncomfortable truths about ourselves. What we dislike most about the animal may be what we dislike most in ourselves.

By learning to love and accept our shadow animal, by arriving at a place of healthy respect, we learn to appreciate who we are as spiritual beings.

The Dark Moon is a time for inner reflections, personal journeys and shadow work. What better time to take stock, to face our deepest fears, to meet and embrace our Shadow side. Communing with our dark self may lead to valuable personal insights. As we shine light on our darkness, we come to a place of healing. The Shadow self is the part of us that reacts from a place of unconscious fear. Once those fears are brought into the light, we can begin the process of healing.

Working with Shadow Animals

Sit quietly, with pen and paper and think about an animal that you dislike or fear.

Ask yourself the following questions.

What kind of animal is it?

How does it act?

What are its traits and behaviours?

Do you recognize any of those behaviours in yourself?

Keep this exercise simple so that you don’t become overwhelmed or anxious. Shadow animals may trigger an intense emotional response which can prevent us from exploring further. We can work through this block by staying grounded and approaching slowly and gently.

One of the most powerful exercises we can do is to develop a healthy relationship with our Shadow Animal. As we come to know and respect them, they can become a powerful ally who can help us in our healing work.

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Beltane celebrates the sacred union of The Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine. The fiery passion of Bel, a Celtic vegetation God, has grown into His power and now plants His seed into the fertile land that is the Goddess. The Maypole is one of the symbols of this Divine Union.

The Maypole is thought to be a representation of the Axis Mundi, the World Tree, that connects earth and sky, above and below, the spiritual and earthly planes. Dancing around the Maypole symbolizes union, as the ribbons intertwine. It is also a wonderful way to celebrate the return of warm weather and new growth.

Maypole dancing originated as a pagan fertility ritual. Dancers encircle a tree or a tall pole. The tree represents the phallus of the God, it is buried deep within the earth, the body of the Goddess. At the top sits a floral crown with ribbons attached. Dancers gather in a circle at the base, each holding a coloured ribbon. As the dance begins, the ribbons are interwoven around the pole, strengthening the sacred bond between God and Goddess.

Beltane celebrates union, whether it’s love with another, or self-love, the sensuality and sexuality can bring an abundance of joy. All acts of love and pleasure are Her rituals. Seek out ways to create your own bliss and celebrate with your own fiery passion.Beltane Tarot Spread

1 – The Goddess – Message from the Lady2 – The God – Message from the Lord3 – The Divine Union – Where does your passion lay?4 – The Beltane Fires – What needs to be burned away?5 – Sowing the Seed – What do you wish to create?6 – Nurturing the Garden – What needs doing to manifest your desire?

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The Dark Moon in Aries connects us to our own sense of Divinity. When we embody Goddess within, we walk boldly through life, with confidence and clarity. The fiery passion burning within us lights the path, and we are more than willing to take a risk and follow our heart.

To be headstrong and heartstrong may seem like arrogance to others. We demand respect, but we must be ever mindful that those around us are also Divine and worthy of our respect in turn.

Becoming clear on who we are, acknowledging both our strengths and our faults, brings us closer to that sense of divinity. By embracing light and dark, we feel whole unto ourselves, and we proudly state “I am Goddess!”

The Dark Moon is a time for inner reflections, personal journeys and shadow work. What better time to take stock, to face our deepest fears, to meet and embrace our Shadow side. Communing with our dark self may lead to valuable personal insights. As we shine light on our darkness, we come to a place of healing. The Shadow self is the part of us that reacts from a place of unconscious fear. Once those fears are brought into the light, we can begin the process of healing.

Ritual to Meet Your Dark Goddess

Cast your circle.

Breathe deeply and let go of the day.

Close your eyes, visualize yourself floating above the earth, the night air is cool and refreshing.

As you look down, you notice a field, spring flowers poking up through the snow. You gently land and begin walking toward a dark frost-limned forest. At the forest’s edge lies a small creek. You drink the cold water, feeling it cleanse and purify you. You continue following the path into the dark forest.

Though you can only see a few feet ahead of you, you feel safe and comfortable. You notice the trees around you seem to be old, twisted and gnarled, the chill wind blowing through their naked branches. The branches block the starlight so that you can barely make out the path, but you have no fear, trusting that your footsteps know the way.

Ahead you see an old cottage, light and warmth emanating from the windows. You sense that someone is within, awaiting your arrival.

You knock on the door and it immediately opens. As you enter, you note that the cottage appears to be empty. You close the door and walk toward the hearth, feeling warmth replace the chill in your body.

As you look around, you notice someone sitting in a dark corner. She invites you to sit, you introduce yourself and ask Her if she has any information to share about Shadow Work.

Ask for Her name. Notice what She is wearing, what She looks like, any items She is holding. What information does She wish to share with you. Ask Her what aspect of your shadow self She is here to represent.

Spend as much time as you need with the Dark Goddess, then, when the conversation is over, give thanks. Ask Her for a symbol that you can work with, or that you can use in order to reconnect with Her again.

Leave the cottage, closing the door behind you, and return to the path.

As you walk, notice if there are any changes to the landscape, perhaps the path is much clearer now, or the forest may not seem quite so dark.

Return to the forest’s edge, cross the stream, and slowly come back to your body.

Write down or draw the symbol given to you. Pay attention in the coming days. This symbol may come to you in dreams or in waking life. When you notice it, know and trust that the Dark Goddess is near, supporting you and guiding you.

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Ostara marks a time of equilibrium, when night and day are at equal length. Not only is it a balance of light and dark, but of masculine and feminine, inner and outer, life and death, above and below. Ostara offers an opportunity for us to bring balance into our own lives.

As the dark half of the year gives way to the light, we can reflect on what is out of balance in our lives. Is there too much of something or not enough? Perhaps we need to let go of old beliefs or patterns that no longer serve us, or maybe there is something we would like to invite into our life. Look honestly at your life, and, if you are unhappy with what you see, now is the perfect opportunity to do something about it. What would you like to nurture and grow, what would you like to release or transform?

Ostara Balance Tarot Spread

Use this spread to clear out that which no longer serves you in order to invite in something new during this season of beginnings.

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The Dark Moon in Pisces connects us with our sense of wholeness. We tend to focus on the duality of who we are. We get caught up on being this and not that, as if one part of ourselves can somehow cancel out another part of us. In order to feel a sense of balance, we need to step back and see ourselves as whole unto ourselves.

Light and dark are intertwined, both are necessary aspects of who we are and how we move in the world. At times, light overcomes dark, and at other times the darkness takes over. This never-ending dance of light and dark comes into balance during the Dark Moon in Pisces.

When doing Shadow work, it can be easy to become too focused on the dark and forget that we are also beings of light. Alternately, we may use the light as a way to avoid facing our darkness. Either way, we block the flow of energy when we hold onto one or the other. This brings us out of balance. Blocks in our Chakras may indicate an area of Shadow work that needs attending to. Paying attention to our Chakras and clearing them regularly can help us stay balanced.

The Dark Moon is a time for inner reflections, personal journeys and shadow work. What better time to take stock, to face our deepest fears, to meet and embrace our Shadow side. Communing with our dark self may lead to valuable personal insights. As we shine light on our darkness, we come to a place of healing. The Shadow self is the part of us that reacts from a place of unconscious fear. Once those fears are brought into the light, we can begin the process of healing.

Finding your Balance

Sit in a comfortable position and take several deep cleansing breaths.

Draw white light up from the Earth, through your Root Chakra, and out through the top of your head. At the same time, draw white light from the Universe through your Crown Chakra and back down into the Earth.

Once you feel the flows of energy blended together, bring your focus to your Root Chakra. Notice how the energy feels, is it frenetic or overwhelming, or perhaps slow and muddied. Does it feel blocked or does it flow smoothly. Notice if any tension or discomfort occurs. What words, images or emotions come up as you focus on this Chakra. Breathe light into the area until you feel grounded and connected.

Travel up the Chakras, spending some time focused on each one as you go. Once you have completed the exercise with the Crown Chakra, it is time for the return journey. Notice any further details that may arise as you check in with each Chakra on the way down.

Ground the energy back into the Earth and give thanks.

Make a note of any issues that may have arisen at each chakra. These will lay the groundwork for upcoming Shadow work.

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The Dark Moon in Aquarius connects us to the unseen helpers who guide us on our path. This is a time to explore that which is normally hidden from our consciousness, whether intentionally or not. When delving into Shadow, it helps to have someone by our side, and our guides are here, waiting for us to call on them.

At this time of year, life is burgeoning, unseen, beneath a blanket of snow. We trust that growth is occurring, even though it remains hidden from view. So too is growth happening within each of us, and we can know and trust that emergence is immanent.

As this trust grows, we also become aware of the unseen forces, the guides, Goddesses, or spirits whose sole purpose is to assist us on our journey. Their presence may be subtle, initially, but as connection grows and strengthens, so too does their commitment to us.

The Dark Moon is a time for inner reflections, personal journeys and shadow work. What better time to take stock, to face our deepest fears, to meet and embrace our Shadow side. Communing with our dark self may lead to valuable personal insights. As we shine light on our darkness, we come to a place of healing. The Shadow self is the part of us that reacts from a place of unconscious fear. Once those fears are brought into the light, we can begin the process of healing.

Meeting the Hidden Helpers

Cast your Circle.

Take several deep, slow breaths and let go of the events of the day.

When you feel grounded and centered, close your eyes.

Visualize yourself walking through a field covered with snow. As you walk, you hear a faint gurgling sound.

Your follow the sound until you come across a small brook, the ice melt feeding the trickling flow of water.

As you bend down, you notice sprigs of green emerging from the soil. Despite the cold bleak landscape around you, in this tiny oasis, life is once again teeming.

You cup your hands and take a drink of the cold, refreshing water. Looking up, you see that someone has arrived, your guide on this journey into Shadow.

You feel warmth and love emanating from this person. They smile and you feel completely safe and reassured.

As you walk, side by side, your guide shares her wisdom with you. You can ask any questions that come to mind, for she is here to assist you on your journey.

As you continue walking together, you notice that the brook is growing wider, the flow stronger. The ice and snow is melting, clearing from your path. You see more and more plant life growing from the rich dark earth, and, eventually, you can see colourful spring flowers emerging.

Soon you are walking through a field of wildflowers. It is time to say goodbye to your guide, at least for a short while. She will always be here, awaiting you in this field of blossoms, whenever you are in need of guidance.

You ask her for some parting words or a symbol, and offer her a gift in return.

Ahead, you see a gate and walk toward it. Once through the gate, you come back into your body.

Imbolc, celebrated on February 2nd, marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Imbolc is the harbinger of Spring, a return of the Sun, and a reminder that better times are coming. We begin to see buds on the branches and the sprouting of the first flowers of Spring. Although the ground may still be covered in snow, there is hope for renewal. We all seem to be in need of hope at this time. After a long hibernation through the cold winter months, we anticipate the warmer weather to come. We may feel a quickening within, the urge to purify, to cleanse our home, or to plan our gardens. There is a sense of excitement in the air as we move out of the stagnancy of Winter into the hopeful promise of Spring. Like the animals emerging from their burrows, or the buds appearing on trees, so too is our own winter retreat nearly at an end.

February 2nd also celebrates the Goddess Brigid, the patroness of the forge, healing and birth. Her Sacred Flame re‐ignites our passion for life and stokes the fires of our inspiration. On the eve of Imbolc, also known as Brigid’s Night, we honour the Goddess with sacred bonfires or lighting candles. This is an ideal time to re‐dedicate ourselves to our spiritual path, consecrate our magickal tools in Her name, or practice divination.

So where does the Groundhog fit into all this? North Americans have grown up with tales of Groundhogs predicting the weather on this day. But is there any truth to this peculiar divinatory practice? The Groundhog tradition is simply the latest incarnation of an ancient ritual commemorating the Sun Goddess emerging from Her cave at Winter’s end. Snakes, a symbol of the Divine Mother, may have been the first to be associated with this emergence. Other animals include Bears, Badgers, and, of course, Groundhogs. Our ancestors were much more in tune with the cycles of nature, paying close attention to animal behaviour, in order to determine the best times for planting, harvesting and herding. Hibernation, migration and breeding occur in sync with the climate, making animals ideal predictors of the changing cycles in nature. There is much debate as to the origins of using animals as prognosticators of weather in North America, but it does seem to trace back to Europeans who settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th century. The earliest written records of Groundhog divination are dated to 1841.

“Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day; The day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as weather is to be moderate.”
‐excerpt from the diary of James Morris of Morgantown, PA

We can view our famous furry forecasters as a modern take on an ancient custom. Amidst the pageantry, cameras and sound bites, there is something intriguing about the Groundhog, and our behaviour changes based on its predictions. Better still, we can avoid the fuss, and go out into nature ourselves, paying close attention to the animals, birds and trees around us. And know that, all too soon, we will be saying farewell to the bitter cold of Winter and welcoming in the warmth of Spring.

Imbolc Eve Tarot Spread

The First Card: Planting the seed. What is it that you would like to grow in the coming months?

The Second Card: Now that you have planted the seed, what do you need to do to nourish and sustain it?

The Third Card: What do you need to let go of in order to create space for the seedlings to grow?

The Fourth Card: Unexpected obstacles. What might get in the way of growth and what can you do to avoid or minimize damage?